News Release

$51 Million: Elected Utility Regulators Score Big Bucks2015-05-18

The public elects public service commissions to regulate utilities in 12 states. As with most elections, money is involved.

In fact, in these 12 states candidates have accepted more than $51 million in campaign contributions during the past eight years, often from the industries they oversee. For a number of reasons, the Lone Star State shone brightly, with about $20 million going to Texas commission candidates--led by the oil and gas industry that it regulates. Other states with elected commissions include Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.